September 17, 2011

faith and works: a co-dependent relationship

"You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected."  James 2:22

This "faith and works" passage in James is familiar to most Christians.  We've all learned that faith without works is useless (2:20) since such a faith hardly inspires others to believe or to kindle a life-changing relationship with our Heavenly Father ("can that faith save him?" v. 14).

But this week God showed me a different spin on this passage.  I always saw it as faith being dependent on works, meaning our faith really isn't mature until we allow it to manifest itself in our works.  This viewpoint is still as true as ever, but really, faith and works are co-dependent.  Works depend on faith just as much as faith depends on works.

The fact is, practicing works usually requires faith from us, especially in difficult situations.  Choosing to worship when you feel despondent, choosing to give to the poor when your bank account is running on empty, even choosing to read your Bible when you're dead-tired are all works that require faith.

When we carry out a faith-based work, we inspire others and point them to the One who placed that work upon our hearts.  And by doing that work, we exercise the very faith it takes to carry it out.

Faith is perfected through our works (v. 22).  Carrying out those works prevents our faith from being useless, or worse, dead (vs. 17 and 26).  Faith and works build upon each other; they make each other stronger and more lasting.  Faith requires works, and works require faith.  We can't have one without the other.

September 14, 2011

what I've learned from Naomi.

This morning I was looking through past entries in my journal.  I mostly use my journal for jotting down sermon notes and devotionals, as well as any dreams or words of knowledge that God gives me for myself or others.  I find it particularly interesting to go back one year and see where I was and maybe (hopefully) see how much I've changed.

Around this time last year, underneath a Sunday message, I had this jotted down....

"The name 'Naomi' has been on my heart for awhile now, and I wasn't sure why until this morning when we got to ministry time [a time in our service where people can go up if they want prayer].  I was praying to God about risk-taking and stepping out [the very point of the message I had just heard!] and He brought up Naomi again.  He told me that up till now I've been more of a Naomi than a Ruth; stuck living in a cave, grieving my losses while someone else goes out and gathers sheaves.  He's calling me out to be more like Ruth in my boldness to step out and work in His kingdom, but to also maintain the wisdom Naomi had to instruct Ruth on how to do so."

Remember the story of Mary and Martha, and how Mary chose the better part by lingering at Jesus' feet rather than jumping up to help Martha in the kitchen?  I think a balance between the two is required of us most days; spending that precious time with our Heavenly Father, while still serving others and doing our little part to further the Kingdom.

The same is true in the case of Naomi and Ruth.  We tend to sympathize more with Ruth (and why not?  The whole book is named after her, not to mention she's the one who lands herself a husband and a son by the end!), but let's not forget what Naomi can teach us.  This is a woman whose worst nightmare came true.  She lost her husband and two sons, and was forced to return to her homeland in order to have any hope of surviving on her own.  And she was blessed with the company of Ruth, her widowed daughter-in-law who refused to leave her.  Ruth gathered sheaves in the fields of their kinsmen-redeemer, Boaz, and long story short, the two got married and blessed Naomi with a grandson to care for.

I'm not sure why, but I always picture them living in a cave when they got to Bethlehem.  Maybe I read that somewhere else, but my Bible doesn't say they did.  But even if they didn't live in a physical cave, you have to agree that Naomi was dwelling in an emotional one for sure.  She even told her friends, "I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty" (Ruth 1:21).  She stayed in that cave while Ruth went out to keep them fed.

But Naomi still had a purpose.  She lovingly advised Ruth when it came to gleaning in Boaz's fields, and kind of played matchmaker in a way (check out her counsel that led to the somewhat-shocking threshing floor proposal in chapter 3!).  Although she felt that God had afflicted her (1:21), Naomi still retained His love and wisdom, and allowed those things to manifest themselves in her dealings with Ruth to bless her as well.  And because of her faith in the midst of grief and uncertainty, Naomi became the catalyst that led to not only a marriage, but to the restoration of her name and family, as well as the birth of the child Obed who's in the very lineage of Jesus Christ.

So I think it's okay to have a little Naomi in all of us.  That part of us may get scared or emotional in times of struggle, but as long as we remain faithful in the One who is guiding us through, the wisdom and love He pours out on us can certainly spill onto others.  But don't be afraid of having a little Ruth in you either, since some difficult times also require us to roll up our sleeves and get to work in the fields, all the while receiving counsel from other wise Christians.  It's all about balance.  Some situations require more Naomi than Ruth, or vice versa.  Just don't write Naomi off.  All you have to do is read Ruth's story to see she was more important to the outcome than most of us realize!

September 6, 2011

hope for when we stumble

"For whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all."  James 2:10
"Mercy triumphs over judgment."  James 2:13b

As I read through the first part of the second chapter of James this afternoon, I couldn't help but ruminate over the last few days, few weeks, few months, and count just how many times I've stumbled.  And forget about just stumbling in "one point," for me it's more along the lines of "at least ten."

When I read verse 10, I checked out the scriptural cross-references for the word "stumble," and found hope for my discouragement:

First, James 3:2 tells us that "we all stumble in many ways."  You got that right!  I was thankful for the reminder that we all struggle in different areas, and even on the straightest path we will all encounter times when we stumble.  So I'm not alone in this.

Second, 2 Peter 1:10 instructs us to practice certain "things" so that we will never stumble.  If we look earlier in the passage, we find those "things" he's talking about:  faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.  Kind of like the fruits of the Spirit on steroids!  They all seem build upon each other, and while it's nice to have the list, it's also a little daunting at the same time.  How in the world can anyone keep this up in order not to stumble?

That's where the last reference comes in.  The twenty-fourth verse in the very brief yet very powerful book of Jude tells us that God is "able to keep us from stumbling."  So we don't have to do it on our own.  He knows that without Him we're weak, but He also knows that with Him we're strong and capable of so much more than we realize.  So many times the wrong thinking jumpstarts my guilt during times of stumbling; I figure that since I'm human, I'm also weak and useless, and there's nothing that can help me change.  I'm thinking that's the mindset in which the enemy wants me to stay. 

What I need to realize is that I don't have to be weak and useless.  That's part of Jesus' transforming work on the cross, as well as His resurrection; our old self with its sinful nature died with Him, and when He rose from the dead, He unlocked brand new lives for each of us as well.  I'm certain that this is good news for so many others too, unless I miss my guess on how alike we all really are. 

Now, as long as we're on this earth, we will struggle with certain temptations and sins.  That's our flesh trying to get us to return to our old ways.  And we will most likely stumble from time to time.  But God is quick to show mercy to us (James 2:13), and if we abide in Him, we have access to more power and grace than we ever thought possible.  If you've stumbled, ask God to take your hands and help you stand back up.  Dust off your knees, wipe your brow, and follow Him up that path He has for you.  I can think of no better guide than the One who laid the road.